May 25, 2015- Holy Ground, Lauren's last letter!

This is Lauren's last letter! I am so grateful to each of you for your love and support towards Lauren and our family while she has been serving in Brazil. It doesn't seem real that missions actually come to an end. I will miss her letters each monday but can't wait to see her in Brazil this Saturday. Many of you have asked when she will report her mission, June 14, 1:00! Please see the invite below! We would love to see you there and at our house after for some Brazilian food!

Thanks

Christine Neeleman

Family and Friends!

One day, a few thousand years ago, a young kid, Moses, followed the promptings of the Holy Ghost and found himself on top of a mountain. What the Lord had in store for him that day would surely change his life, and history as we know it, forever.

As the Lord appeared to him in the flame of a burning bush, he requested that Moses take off his shoes to show reverance to that holy ground. In retrospect, I don´t think it was, necessarily the soil, nor the bush that made the differance, but rather the life-changing events that, for a moment in time, sanctified that little spot. 

So today, in honor of muy last official email as a full-time representative of Jesus Christ, I would like to write a bit about a few of my sacred spots. My Holy Ground... These places, like the mountain, may appear totally normal and some seem very very far from holy. Many have and will continue to pass through these places without even knowing the eternal significance that these places have made on me. But despite the grafitti and the funky music (lotts of BOOM CHA CHA) these places will forever hold a special place in my heart.

1. the Atlanta airport- Where I spent my layover just one week before christmas. With swollen eyes and no more tears left to cry I sat listening to some guy play I´ll be home for Christmas on the piano. Ironic. I ate my Panda Express (my American farewell) and tried not to think to hard about the 18 month journey that was just beginning,. 

2. CTM - About the second day of the CTM I decided to read the Book of Mormon from the beginning. As I read about how hard Nephi worked to create the plates and follow God´s commandments, I decided that God uses prepared instruments... About 487 flash cards and 803 headaches later, I left that sacred spot at least being about to communicate a bit. I learned that hard work always pays off. 

3. Little Teeny Tiny Campo Limpo house- Well... I am a bit embarrassed to admit that when I to the field I had to hide my horror... Never endless stream of ants, (even in my toothbrush!! yuck) and about enough closet space to give room to a third of my clothes. I wondered how I would get by. UNTIL I spent some time in the favelas and learned what it means to be in difficult circumstances. I became very grateful for that little house in no time. 

4. My bed side- Every night I talked with God but at times I pleaded for many reasons... but one I will never forget. As I talked to heavenly father about my seemingly difficult trainer (she spit loogies, farted in our pillows, and at times completely stopped talking to me all together) it was as if I heard a voice saying ``Laur, she too is my daughter and I love her dearly. Your job is to figure out why and love her too. ´´ Humbling experience? Yes Forgettable? No     I can honestly say that I have found something to love about every compaion and we have been extremely blessed as we have worked hard together.

5. 6 Baptismal fonts in which I watched those who I had come to love dearly making important covenants with their Heavenly Father. I can honestly say that I have seem a glimpse of heaven´s light. 

6. Some street in Cotia where some vicous dog took his anger out on my leg- Though the doctor asked that I stay in bed for a few days, I couldn´t even manage a few hours. I thought about each and every one of the people that we were teaching and thought ``get me out of here!!!´´  I learned that I am a bit passionate about this missionary work business. 

6. Some Caucaia Chapel- It was there that I recieved a phone call from the MTC specialist saying that if my seemingly cronic infection didn´t clear up, I would have to come home early. Not knowing what to do, I found a little class room and prayed. And prayed asking heavenly father to help me finish strong. And that is exactly what He has done. I will be forever grateful for these last 2 months. 

7. Lastly, I am grateful for my last challenge... Ferreira. I have heard about this ``buraco´´(whole)  since my very first day. I heard that it is full of skycrappers and suuupeer difficult to baptize. SO... you can imagine my disappointment when I got the news that I would probably end up here. In my first few weeks we cleaned the baptismal font and found spiders and cobwebs due to a lack of use. ``So much for a strong ending´´ I thought. But then I rethought, decided that I would do what I have always done... pray hard (real hard) and wait for the Lord to bless us. And that is exactly what He has done. with all sorts of miracles.

In closing I would like to cite one of my favorite Elder Holland quotes... ``I believe that in our own individual ways, God takes us to the grove or the mountain or the temple, and there shows us the wonder of what His plan is for us. We may not see it as fully as Moses or Nephi or the brother of Jared did, but we see as much as we need to see in order to know the Lord´s will for us and to know that He loves us beyond mortal comprehension.``

I know that I have a heavenly Father because I have felt his love. In the very best and the very worst of times, he was with me, teaching me, helping me and at times holding me. I know that Jesus Christ is our Salvador because I have had the unique privilige to see what His power can do. 

I have loved my mission and know that I will use it and learn from it for as long as I live... and maybe after too. 

As my last words I would like to quote an ancient prophet... (We missionaries are good at that) 

 I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. (2 John 12)

Until a short few (DAYS) :)

com amor, 

sister Lauren

p.s.  The only other thing I was thinking... if you could bring a hymn book in English, that would be great. That way we can sing together for everyone. Guess what?!? Angela and Edilson and family came from Cotia to surprise me at church this week!!! It was so incredible to see them and she thanked me for all I did for her family. She invited us to a churrasco June 6th. She is so excited to meet you two. 

May 19, 2015- Livia's Baptism

Hi family!! It was another wonderful week!!!!

First, we had another baptism!! LIVIA! Just in time too because this Saturday she will be taking off for her new adventure, Portugal. Her baptism was super special, especially because her parents were able to be there to cheer her on. Her mom, Regina is the one who has asked us about every random question there is (trinity, Mary, Eve, tithing, function of the Holy Ghost) and EVERYTHING we taught matched up, exactly, with what she has always thought just based on her extensive knowledge of the Bible. 

Her step dad Adriano has all sorts of severe health problems as a direct result of his many years spent drinking and smoking. As you might imagine, when we taught the Word of Wisdom and invited him to stop smoking he agreed that his life would have been totally different if he had lived this commandment. His life is full of heartbreaking stories, and after his daughter was killed by her own son, he completely shut down. As his family says, he has been years and years without shedding a single tear. I guess he just didn´t want to feel pain anymore so for him it was better not to feel anything. 

We knew that Livia´s special day would only be complete, and that Adriano would only be touched if he could be at her baptism. So imagine our disappoint when Regina and Livia arrived without him. We wasted no time, but asked a ride from a member and we went and got him. During the baptism I had the feeling that we needed to have Regina share her testimony. We had a bit of resistance from the Bishopric as she wasn´t member and the were worried of what she would say in front of everytone. But I couldn´t deny what I felt.  So she spoke. And went on and on.... You know one of those awkward moments when everyone begins to look at their watches wondeif it will ever end? yeahhh... But at the end Regina explained that she has had a severe depression for the last 23 years and finally realized that she is healed as she was able to get up and talk for 20 minutes without any proglems. A thing she could NEVER do before meeting us. 

Anyway, as the baptism ended, Adriano went to congratulate Lívia and for the first time in a very long time, he cried!! Well, if all goes as planned, they will be baptized June 6th! What a miracle!

In other news, Carla and Diego are now married!! Legally! Which means we spent another morning at the Cartório. Let´s just say, I am so grateful for the temple. A calm, beautiful, quite place because the Cartório is none of that. But at least they are married and in two weeks they will be baptized! And, after the wedding and breakfast, we went to the temple to take some pictures and talk about eternal marriage!! We said a prayer in the waiting room and guess who we ran in to?! Paulinho´s wife Cris. She was there doing a photo shoot and offered to take photos of the happy couple!! Such a blessing!

Well, there are probably lots of other stories I could tell but for a lack of time, just know that I am happy and well and so very excited to see everyone that I love so much!! 

Sister Lauren

p.s. Today is my P-day because we went to the temple. BUT I saw Stan at the temple!!!!!!! 

p.s.s. everything is great!! Guess what, Carla and Diego chose you to baptize them!! So bring some white clothes pretty please!! 

May 14, 2015- Letter from Sister Bourges

Hello Ms. Neeleman, how are you ?

Sorry for don't answer your e-mail before. Well, relating to my return at home... I am having great experiences with my family since I arrived. We are studing the scriptures together every single day and praying as well. It's a realy reason for me to be so happy because during so many years we tried to bring my father to the Church, but he never wanted. After 20 years enduring to live at home what we always learned at the church, our exemple touched his heart and he decided to be baptized. In January 22nd of this year we were sealed as family for the eternity and from that day until now, it makes me really happy. He was baptized only one week befor I leave home to serve as a Sister Missionary. So it is only now I am living with my hole family as member of the church. So for me it's being wonderful to be at home again, I was realy excited to have these experiences after mission and now I'm living it.

Sister Lauren always jumps of happiness when talks about her home and her family. She loves every single thing you've done for her. There's no way for her doesn't like to be at home again. She expects too much from this great moment. She learned so much during this hole time and I know she wants to share all these things with you. Then, the only advice I give you is let her to do so. Just the way you are and everything you're doing is enough for her to feel the most special person of the world.

Your family is amazing and I am realy thankful for the oportunity to meet all of you personally. I need to resolve some questions about my university before confirm a specific day to me get there, but next week I am almost sure I'll give you something right.

Thank you for everything. You are incredible. Is there something I can do for you ? If there is, I would love to help.

Honestly,

Carol.

May 13, 2015- Email from President Del Guerso

From: Brazil São Paulo West Mission <1964631@ldschurch.org>
Date: May 13, 2015 at 12:43:19 PM MDT
To: "sneeleman@healthequity.com" <sneeleman@healthequity.com>
Subject: Transfer History for Sister Neeleman

Sister Lauren Christine Neeleman

Data Inicial	Área	Companheiro(s)	Chamado
17 Mar 2015	Ferreira	Freitas, Priscila A. (LTS2)	Líder Treinadora de Sísteres Líder (LTS1)
3 Fev 2015	Ferreira	Castro, Juliana L. (LTS1)	Líder Treinadora de Sísteres (LTS2)
11 Nov 2014	Cotia 2 B	Granados, Yennifer A. (CJ)	Companheiro Sênior (CS)
30 Set 2014	Cotia 2 B	Silva, Ana C. (CJ)	Treinador (TR)
19 Ago 2014	Educandário B	Wood, Hannah C. (CJ)	Companheiro Sênior (CS)
9 Jun 2014	Vila Sônia A	Farfal, Sariah M. (CS)	Treinador (TR)
27 Mai 2014	Vila Sônia A	Garcia, Bianca A. (CJ)	Treinador (TR)
22 Abr 2014	Vila Sônia A	Dantas, Monaliza M. (CS)	Companheiro Júnior (CJ)
27 Jan 2014	Campo Limpo B	Valente, Alciléia A. (TR)	Companheiro Júnior (CJ)

Histórico das Transferências

May 11, 2015- Happy Mother's Day!!

Hi Family!!

It was another wonderful week!! Lots of miracles and missionary stuff. 

The week started off with a great family home evening with our recent converts, Morgan, Veronica, Rogerio, and our investigator Livia. We talked about prophets, played some prophet memory, sang all 9 verses of Follow the prophet, and ended strong with Tapioca creepes. 

Then, I had my english students write letters to their mothers in english!!

And, the Ganzarolli family... So, we had been trying and trying to get ahold of them without much success this past couple weeks. We even marked a few appointments with them but everything fell through. One night we made it to their house and recieved a phone call from Régia saying that she would not be able to meet with us after all. Did I mention that they live veryy far from where we were. A little frusterated, we made our way back to the area where we usually work to our plan B. Well, on the way I had a strange urge to buy some crackers at this wayy over priced bakery that we basically never enter. AND guess who we say there? Régia and her son João..

She explained that as she hung up she felt like she should call us back and remark, but she didn´t have the courage and was a bit tired. But, as she saw us she realized that she needed our visit. We talked for a bit, and actually it was wonderful because we could get more of an idea of what their family is needing without all the rest of the family there. She explained that her daughters no longer believe in God and that she wants so badly to come back but she doesn´t know how. My companion spent about 5 years out of the church and every sunday she got all ready, and ended up not going because she didn´t have the courage. Finally, her mom, who wasn´t even a member at the time waited as she get out of the shower and said ``Today you will be going. It doesn´t matter if we get there late. I´ll be waiting for you.´´ And with that, she never missed another sunday.

We set some goals, and guess what?! Sunday she was there with João and one of her daughters, Isabela. And Isa LOVED it!! So much so that they planned a shopping trip to buy some new skits and she will even participate in new beginnings this week. Now we just need to get Vitoria to church... Tonight we will have a Lehi´s dream type of lesson and I hope they are touched!! 

Also, we went to the temple with Rosana to do baptisms!! It was super cool to be there with her. Only days earlier she confessed that she is tired.. of living. and wonders sometimes if it wouldn´t be better to die.. Needless to stay we were (and still are a little) afraid that she would do something drastic. So, I am so happy that she had a spiritual experience in the temple, and it was beautiful to see her and her sister together in white, doing the work for their parents. 

Fabio is the investigator who should have been baptized Saturday, but due to a depression attack and then the death of his mother who has been battling cancer for some time, we have indefinitely postponed the baptism. We could not think of anything to say. With this kind of earth-shattering experience, there is not much to say to comfort someone. So we simply sang. And sang. Basically half of the primary songs, until our throats ran dry. 

I can´t even imagine the hard, devastating lives that some have to live. I am learning, with every day that passes, just how blessed I really am. 

Right by our chapel, we have a school for children needing special help. The other day as we were passing, we stopped by to see if they needed help. The woman explained the purpose of the school and told us that she is a volunteer just trying to help how she can. She told us that Saturday they would be having a Mothers´day event and, obviously, and asked if we could sing some sort of mothers day song. The children´s hymn book is perfect for that! But, just before we were about to start singing, the girl making the balloons made us balloon helments. And logically, we had to use them while we were singing. Who knows if anyone took us seriously, but it was fun regardless. 

Well, it will be another wonderfull week!! The thought that I only have 18 days left to be a full-time representative of Christ scares me a bit, but I am trying my best to make good use of this precious time. 

Love you all, 

Sister Lauren

May 10, 2015- Mother's Day!!! Cute message from Pauhlino!

dear Christine, today here in Brazil we celebrate the day of the most important person in our lives after Jesus Christ, but thanks to his infinite love is person divides his love so that we all might have life and joy. this person is the MOTHER, who has so much love for their children. The mother is the contact of our Heavenly Father with the earth. Mothers are so special and sacred in the eyes of our Heavenly Father that his salvation and differentiated us as men inherit the heavens without priesthood. Being a mother is something divine and we all love these women. Congratulations on your special day and congratulations to be dividing his special calling of motherhood with us.

Paulo Bergoc
Enviado via iPhone

I found this on her Mission Website tonight!

Happy Mother's Day to ME!!!!!

Lauren with President and Sister Del Guerso

Oh how we love these people and we can't wait to meet them.

May 7, 2015- Letter from Sister Borges

Such a cute note from one of Lauren's wonderful companions! It is always such a treat to hear from her mission people and friends.


Hello Ms. Neeleman, how are you ?

I am Ana Carolina Borges (Sister Borges), fom São Paulo West Mission. Now I'm already at home after finishing my mission. I met you sweet older daugther, Sister Lauren, there and we became good friends  during the time we worked together as sisters missionaries in São Paulo. She always told me great things about you and your beautiful family. I'm realy excited to meet each one of you personally. But while it doesn't happens for now, I would like to talk to you more. Since now I'm sorry for my English, I know it is not perfect, but hope it's enough for us to have good talks and understand each other. I already know you're an amazing woman, who cares so much about your children and husband. I already have you as an exemple for me and hope I can learn much more from you from now on. Thank you for everything you've done for me (like sending me simple but significant gifts , I loved all), even without knowing me very well. If there is something I can do to help you, I would love doing this. I wish you a good day.

With Love,

Carol Borges.

Ps.: Could you please tell me your Skype adress for us to talk? This is mine: e-kawaii. Thank you!

May 4, 2015- Elder Christofferson, Morgan's baptism, Livia

Oí Família! 

First and foremost, WE HAD AN APOSTLE IN OUR MISSION THIS WEEK!!! Elder Christofferson visited us. I have no idea how, or why, but our mission was chosen to participate in a special meeting with only the CTM missionaries. He talked to us for about 3 hours and responded to lots of questions. It was incredible. But one thing that I loved... Someone asked how we can be sure that the Lord is accepting our work. And his response was perfect.. he said that this may be the wrong approach. Rather, we should just work really hard, try to follow the spirit, and allow our minds to be filled with the needs and problems of others. I think on of the secrets to missionary work is not thinking less about your self but about thinking about your self less. At least, this philosophy has helped me to find a great and lasting satisfaction in my mission. 

It was another wonderful, busy week!! We miraculously, had another baptism! Morgan, Rogerio´s less-active (returning) friend. The cool thing was that Rogerio was able to baptize Morgan and the two were so happy! The ward members all helped out despite the fact that our WML couldn´t be there. (On a side note, he had good reason. His healthy youngish dad had an unexpected fall and died almost instantly. The most unsettling part is that we knew his dad pretty well and were not expecting it. Not even one bit. Life is short and oh so precious) But everyone came and brought food and encouraged Morgan with this big decision. 

Also, he and Rogerio invited lots of their family members and all were excited. Rogerio´s very closed off Japonese dad asked what he had done to become promoted to ``padre.´´ haha

In other news, our new miracle Lívia, and her mom are progressing just splendidly. Her mom, Regina, has fell in love with us and our message because she has seen the difference in her precious daughter, Lívia in such a short time. So much so, that she relied on us to answer a few of the questions she has been trying to get answers to her whole life... The santicty of the trinity, tithing, the girft of tounges and the virginity of Mary... yeah I know, the most random of questions, but she was quite content with our answers. She has problems with smoking and coffee, but in one week she has already cut out a lot of that from her life. She told her desire to her husband Adriano, and he said ``If you want to stop, I will stop with you. We can help eachother!´´ Such a miracle. 

I can´t even begin to describe the difference we are seing in Livia already. She is another person. When we met her a few weeks ago, she couldn´t even get out of bed due to a servere case of depression. So much so, that we insisted on going up stairs to literally pull her out of bed. Now, she can´t even stay in bed!!! She is smiling and laughing and planning for the future. She went to my English class Tuesday and loved it! She participated in the games and everything. She saw a video about the church and fell in love, instantly with BYU. She can´t stop thinking about the campus and the atmosphere. With the gospel, she will do some incredible things. 

Carla and Diego seem to be fighting less. Last night we watched 17 miracles and they were so touched. They said that the sacrifice of so many faithful, good people puts their problems in perspective. Herique even liked the movie! And that, my friends, is saying something. 

Well, have a great week! I love you all and miss you dearly, but the time is ticking :) Have a happy mother´s day!! 

Sister Lauren